New member, new to orchids, first post, confessional

[nofickenway]

Originally Posted by Cactuseed

Thanks for admitting it is shoplifting - HD can throw the plant in the trash if they want; after all It belongs to them. Shame on the board for encouraging this - they love to crap on L's & HD
Better to research and find an orchid you are interested in and support any one of many orchid nurseries online or in your neighborhood. Should HD not sell orchids or maybe they should give them to us for free?
Welcome to the board

Ok, well, thanks for the welcome?
I went back today and bought one of the two plants that I took a keiki from...along with four others. The one I did not buy was dead by all signs.

---------- Post added at 12:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:05 AM ----------

So here are my HD refugee phals...I took as many as I could at 1/2 price and ended up getting six for $40.

Took all out of their rancid pots, trimmed rotted roots, washed and dipped in neem oil solution, put in my orchid room in a tray of sphagnum until tomorrow. Will then repot. I did repot just one, as it was the only one that was relatively healthy.

Altogether, I got three keikis and six mature plants...how many will make it? Who knows....but I am certain I will learn from the whole experience...the board will not allow a pic from photobucket or I would include it, sorry !

I am new, but I have to say how impressed I was in these phals' resilience...I can only imagine that they have been there close to a year and grew quite a few aerials after having been choked off in the pot -with, it seems, the worst off plants shooting out keikis...

---------- Post added at 12:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

Welcome to the forum! While rescuing plants like that, it can be really frustrating (and even $5 is expensive for an almost dead plant!) especially for someone just starting out! I definitely would recommend saving the money and using it to get some healthy plants from a quality nursery!

No doubt this is sound and accurate advice...I just could not pass up the opportunity...even if just one or 2 make it I'll be happy...I do also have 2 happy healthy plants and ordered 2 more ... Thanks for the welcome!

---------- Post added at 12:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 AM ----------

Originally Posted by SHag42

Hello,
And welcome to the board and the great wide world of orchids. I too can not stand to pass up a pitiful orchid. And have been able to rescue some of them thanks to all the wonderful help I found on here.
I am not sure why it is but my home depot is the same way. They do not reduce there orchids and just dump them in trash. Such a waste. Lowes on the other hand are pretty good about putting them at half price and this is where I have picked up a lot of mine. Another good option is Walmart after Valentines Day. I bought some there last year for $2.50 each and about 2/3 are still alive but it is slow going. Good luck with your orchids and be aware that it is a very addictive hobby. They are smart and will jump in your buggy when you are not looking.

SHag

Thanks for the tip! I am much like you and Rosie C - can't NOT try to save these poor phals...